instil confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instil confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of fostering or nurturing a sense of trust or assurance in someone. Example: "The coach worked hard to instil confidence in his players before the big game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I would instil confidence in my younger self.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The candidate's reply does little to instil confidence.

The Guardian

So much of this job is to instil confidence.

The Guardian

I instil confidence and self-esteem in the most fragile and vulnerable of my students.

The Guardian

Seeing a woman above them in the organisation does a huge amount to dispel those doubts and instil confidence.

The Guardian

Politicians are expected to abide by seven key principles of public life which are designed to instil confidence in parliament.

The Times

"To instil confidence in one player might be to give them freedom, so they know you trust them," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

It would instil confidence in the smaller banks, as well as the ones that are obviously too big to fail.

The Economist

The managers – and the tournament – seek to instil confidence, motivation, discipline communication and teamwork in young people.

Independent

AN EARLY-AFTERNOON visit to the Azerbaijan cabinet of ministers does little to instil confidence in the country's bureaucracy.

The Economist

Crosby will be chairing the committee appointing a new chief executive – not a prospect to instil confidence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to motivate or reassure, use "instil confidence" to emphasize the act of building belief in one's abilities. For example, a leader might "instil confidence" in their team by providing clear direction and support.

Common error

Avoid using "instil confidence" when the goal is simply to express existing confidence. "Instil" suggests actively creating or increasing confidence, not just acknowledging its presence. It's more accurate to say someone has confidence rather than saying you "instil" it unless you are actively building it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instil confidence" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "instil" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("confidence"). As shown by Ludwig, this phrase describes an action—the act of imparting or creating confidence in someone or something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "instil confidence" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that signifies the act of building trust or assurance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and highlights its prevalence across various domains, particularly in news, business, and science. It's essential to use "instil confidence" when referring to actively creating or increasing confidence, as opposed to merely acknowledging its presence. Alternatives like "foster confidence" or "inspire confidence" offer nuanced variations in meaning, allowing for precise communication depending on the context. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources, "instil confidence" remains a valuable phrase for expressing reliability and competence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build confidence

A more direct and common way to express the creation of confidence.

engender confidence

Uses a different verb with a similar meaning to "instil", focusing on the creation of confidence.

inspire confidence

Highlights the ability to spark confidence in others.

foster confidence

Focuses on nurturing and developing confidence over time.

generate confidence

Implies the production of confidence as a result of specific actions.

inculcate confidence

Emphasizes the repeated teaching of confidence to someone.

cultivate confidence

Suggests a deliberate and careful development of confidence.

promote confidence

Focuses on actively encouraging and advancing confidence.

inject confidence

Suggests a sudden and powerful introduction of confidence.

impart confidence

Highlights the act of giving or bestowing confidence upon someone.

FAQs

How can I use "instil confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "instil confidence" to describe the act of building someone's self-assurance. For example, "The coach worked to instil confidence in the team before the championship game".

What are some alternatives to "instil confidence"?

Alternatives include "build confidence", "foster confidence", or "inspire confidence", each with slightly different nuances.

Which is correct, "instil confidence" or "install confidence"?

"Instil confidence" is the correct phrase. "Instil" means to gradually introduce or implant, while "install" refers to setting something up for use. Therefore, "instil confidence" is the appropriate choice.

What's the difference between "instil confidence" and "inspire confidence"?

"Instil confidence" suggests a gradual process of building self-assurance, whereas "inspire confidence" implies a more immediate and emotional effect. You might "instil confidence" through training and preparation, but "inspire confidence" through a powerful speech or demonstration.